goods and service tax
The Special Judge of the City, Civil & Sessions Court in Mumbai has sentenced Shri Prasidh Narayan Dubey, a former Superintendent of CGST, and his wife, Smt. Vimla Dubey, to terms of imprisonment ranging from two to four years for their roles in a case involving disproportionate assets. Shri Dubey received a four-year prison term along with a fine amounting to ₹1 lakh, while his wife has been sentenced to two years with a similar financial penalty.
The case was initiated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on February 20, 2018, following intelligence indicating that Shri Prasidh Narayan Dubey possessed assets valued at ₹90,90,908, significantly exceeding his declared income. This discrepancy represented a 77.18% increase in assets over the period from June 17, 1994, to February 23, 2018.
After a detailed investigation, the CBI filed a charge-sheet against the couple on December 23, 2020. The trial, which commenced thereafter, included testimonies from 100 prosecution witnesses to substantiate the allegations.
On June 16, 2022, charges were formally framed against both defendants. Upon completing the trial, the court found both Shri Prasidh Narayan Dubey and Smt. Vimla Dubey guilty of the charges laid against them and ordered the aforementioned sentences.
The verdict serves as a reminder of the legal repercussions of engaging in disproportionate asset accumulation, particularly for public servants such as Shri Prasidh Narayan Dubey. The vigilance of the Central Bureau of Investigation continues to be pivotal in addressing corruption and ensuring accountability.